Sunday, September 25, 2011

Get Yourself Affordable Wedding Invitations

It is usually not very easy to plan a wedding and there is much that goes into it in terms of creativity, time and money.  While getting the first two can be quite easy, there just seems to never be enough money to plan a wedding and many brides and grooms usually go the extra mile to cut as many costs as they can. One way of reducing the costs in a wedding is by getting affordable wedding invitations and there are different ways of doing this. One way is by going to discount stores and as their name suggests, one can get great discounts for the purchase of wedding invitations they make. There are some people who were born talented designers and for this group of people getting cheap wedding invitations is not difficult. This is because they can design their cards and then have them printed at printing shops thereby eliminating the need to pay a designer.

 Affordable wedding invitations can be obtained by the couple deciding to make their own cards. This idea comes with two advantages and the first one is that they will be done on time thereby avoiding the anger and disappointment that often arises when things are not done on time. Secondly, the invitations will be done exactly the way the couple wanted with no changes whatsoever.  There are however a number of factors that should be considered if a couple takes this route and they include the paper, toners as well as envelopes. Bridal shops are another option that is worth looking into because they have catalogs that one can peruse for discounted or marked down designs. In addition to this, there are variety of designs from which a couple can choose.

The internet can be quite helpful as well for a person who is looking for affordable wedding invitations because it is awash with stationery stores, small wedding websites and stationery shops that can be quite helpful. On these sites one will be bale to get discount deals as well as an array of designs that they can merge to come up with a unique design. E-cards present yet another option for cheap wedding invitations. While some may argue that e-cards are not conventional and personalized, they definitely help couples who are on a tight budget. Using friends who have a background in graphic design is another option that should be explored and while some might d it for free, others will demand some sort of payment but still it will be cheaper than going to a stranger. When looking for affordable wedding invitations it is also important that couples talk to people who have had weddings before as from the said people they can get referrals of the best and cheap designers of wedding invitations. So there it is, no one needs to suffer huge wedding costs when there are other alternatives.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Amazing Centerpieces for Wedding Tables

Today's weddings are all about details and if a wedding lacks the finer details it tends to be dull and devoid of color or things to write home about. Among the details to be found at weddings are the centerpieces for wedding tables which are usually placed on top of tables at the reception. Contrary to what most people might think one does not just wake up and decide on the center pieces they want to use. This is because to end up with a good center piece there are some factors that should be taken into consideration. Among these factors is the wedding theme which includes such things as the colors used or the wedding. The budget a couple has drawn for their wedding is another important consideration and here if one does not have much money they should not be worried as there are various inexpensive ideas that they can use for their center pieces. Wedding planners and florists make for great sources of ideas and the couple should really consult them in this regard.

Another factor that should be considered when choosing centerpieces for wedding tables is the surroundings of the wedding as while some people love to hold indoor receptions for their weddings, others would much rather have an outdoor wedding. Amazingly, the size of the tables that are going to be used is an important factor but people usually overlook it as they consider all the other factors. A big center piece can look very odd when placed on a small table.

There are different types of centerpieces for wedding tables and among the common ones are flowers. Flowers are ideal because there are different kinds of flowers in market so the wedding couple will be spoilt for choice. Additionally, the different flower types can be combined to come up with unique pieces for the table. There is however a catch; prior on settling on a particular flower, it is wise to check and see if it is in season. The budget one is operating with will also determine the kind of flower to be used. Fruits also make for great center pieces and fruits such as citrus can work very well as they usually smell very nice and can really charm guests. One can choose to cut the fruits or they leave them whole and in addition to this they should ensure that they have a good color combination as this will go a long way into presenting an elegant atmosphere.

Vegetables also present great centerpieces for wedding tables and one can make quite a number of designs using different kinds of vegetables such as green beans, artichoke and asparagus. The best thing about this kind of center piece is that it is not very expensive but will still manage to charm the guests. Candles are known for changing the atmosphere from normal to romantic and this is mostly why they are great center pieces as well. The above ideas are great and with a little creativity one can have a very beautiful reception.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

The Quickie Las Vegas Wedding - an Endangered Tradition?

A lot of well-loved movie and sitcom plots would never have been possible if the quickie Las Vegas wedding tradition didn't exist. Movies like The Hangover would be that much duller if there is no way that people could wake up in the morning next to someone they don't ever recall having met, wearing nothing but a ring. And yet, the grand Chapel of Love tradition of Las Vegas may be on the wane.

Really! Are people no longer interested in pledging their eternal troth in a city that people think of for gambling, prostitution and general unfocused sin? For whatever reason, that's how things stand these days. Las Vegas itself has been unable to attract as many visitors as it once did; and those who do visit, don’t really consider the spur of the moment Las Vegas wedding some kind of Las Vegas essential to go for.

Some people believe though, that it isn't as if Americans have suddenly grown a little refinement and taste. It's all down to, as usual, the way the economy is. Weddings in general, all over the country, have been faltering. Just think about it - what is it that you need to get married? You need a groom or bride, of course. But apart from that, you need a stable job, a place to stay, and so on. And in this jobless economy, a time when law school graduates languish without well-paying jobs and business graduates intern for free, where does one find those things?

The quickie Las Vegas wedding industry is therefore trying to find other avenues in which to get business. They would love to have a piece of the gay wedding business, but they can't. Because Nevada doesn't recognize same-sex weddings. For this reason, they are aiming for the next biggest market available to them - marriage vow renewals. Even in their best years, about a third of Las Vegas wedding events are usually vow renewals.

These days, Las Vegas’ nearly 100 wedding chapels have to make do with the vow renewal business like never before. And they are really going after it. They know that the quickie Las Vegas wedding is world-famous. And to lots of international tourists who arrive in Las Vegas, going back with a wedding certificate from Las Vegas is a great souvenir. They certainly know how to go after this market, and they are.

The next time you go to Las Vegas, watch out for these advertisements everywhere - inviting you to renew your vows with a little bit of sin.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Best Handmade Wedding Invitations

Weddings are very special occasions filled with pomp and glamor and it is therefore no surprise that all couples want their wedding to be as sophisticated and as elegant as possible. One of the ways through which one can attain the above qualities is by use of handmade wedding invitations. So what makes a handmade wedding invitation so special? Firstly, it is the best way to create an ambience which will be totally befitting to the wedding. In addition to this, they also show that the couple put much creativity and thoughtfulness into the planning of their wedding. There is also nothing like a handmade wedding invitation to lend a personal touch to a wedding.

A handmade wedding invitation can also entail other features such as a photo of the wedding couple. The photo will not only personalize the invitation but it will also give the guests something to cherish from the wedding. Other details that can be used to enhance the invitation include sequence, pearls, dried flowers, ribbons and dried leaves. Handmade wedding invitations are also known to have things like special sayings, songs or poems that speak of the love shared between the bride and groom.

There are two routes that one can take regarding a handmade wedding invitation and they are; getting a professional to do it or the bride and groom doing their own invitations. Wedding couples who opt for having their handmade wedding invitations done by a professional often save much time and money. This is because the only things that these couples need to do is to send the specification and everything is handmade for them thereby leaving them with enough time to take care of other plans. Professionals also have the needed equipment to come up with a beautiful handmade wedding invitation and this means that that the couple will have saved the money they would have used to buy the needed equipment. When it comes to execution, having a professional do the wedding invitations could be a better idea as the couple could be having a good idea but no proper knowledge of executing it.

For the couples who would rather make their own handmade wedding invitations there are a number of factors that should be considered. One such factor is the source of inspiration which should always be from the most unlikely sources. Some of the best sources of information include craft fairs, gift shops, decoration magazines and card shops.  The couple should also use new ways of creating depth other than the normal ones. Some of the materials one can use include vellum paper. The designs used on the card should be simple a card that is too busy often fails to inspire the expected impression. To ensure that the handmade invitations reach their destinations safely one should ensure that they experiment with several types of glues, papers and envelopes prior to using a particular one. With all these there is no reason why a couple should not have the ideal handmade wedding invitations to leave a good impression on their guests.

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Discover Classic Wedding Invitations

With time, wedding cards have evolved from being just papers inviting people to a wedding with details such as venue of the wedding ceremony, the wedding couple, time and so on to classic pieces of art. The fact that couples want to out-do each other and have their wedding on everyone’s lips could have something to do with this. The best thing about classic wedding invitations is that they are fashionable and timeless. The simplicity the cards present also does much to add elegance to weddings and this is for the low budget as well. It is not difficult to come up with a classic wedding invitation and among the best material to use is a cream or white card that is simply decorated. An inclusion of a simple border in the form of a pattern can do much to make the wedding card classy as well. Regarding design, there are a number of them that could really work for a classic invitation. Among the best designs to use are embossing and those that entail gold or silver gilt edges.

There are some colors that could really work for classic wedding invitations as well and cream, white, gold and silver are some of them. If the card is embossed then the gold or silver gilts can be used around the edges. The text used on a wedding invitation card can determine if it will look classy or not as well. Most people prefer using color black for the text and they can do this to emboss or use raised ink. Gold ink is usually complimented by color cream and white goes with silver. Raised ink not only adds some texture to the wedding invite but also works to make it sumptuous.

When looking for classic wedding invitations most people will be found going about it in a random manner and this is not advisable. A couple should always ensure that the designer they go to is experienced and also has a good reputation. After settling on a particular designer they should ask for samples to determine if the designer can do great work or not. Wedding cards of high quality are printed using board instead of card. While this might be great there are people who simply cannot afford this material and for such the best substitute will be card of the heavy weight kind. Board or heavy weight material should always be used with embossing if the outcome is to be impressive. Quality cards weigh between 250 and 300 GSM. Board usually weighs between 350 and 400 GSM. Incase one does not know how to get the best designers around; they should try attending functions like wedding fairs to get to the best. Wedding stationers and printers can have samples of the best wedding cards. Finally, there is always the option of internet stores that are known for variety and being cheap when it cokes to classic wedding invitations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Saturday, September 03, 2011

Beach Wedding Dresses

If you are one of the many brides that thinks getting married on the beach reflects your personal style and what you think of as your dream wedding, you are in for a very unique experience. Many beach weddings are inexpensive to hold, though you can spend as much as you have to spend if you wish. One thing that is usually true of a beach wedding is that the traditional princess style wedding gown is not a good idea, nor does it go with the theme of the beach. Instead, think about different options for your beach wedding dresses so you have something appropriate and stunning at the same time.

Typically, when shopping for beach wedding dresses, you want something that is going to go with the climate. Most think of beach weddings as being held in places like the southern states of the US, in California, or perhaps in one of the island resorts that are so popular. However, there are beaches in Maine and other areas where it does not get quite as hot, even in the summer. For the most part, these dresses should be light and airy, but when getting married further north, you can get away with something a bit heavier if you wish. Just forget about heavy dresses with layers and heavy fabrics unless you want to pass out in the middle of exchanging vows.

Some still go with white for their beach wedding. This is a great idea if that is what you want. You can find simple white dresses that are very elegant and very airy, but that are also going to be great for your beach wedding dresses. Some look like an evening gown and many are shorter so that the bride can still look like a bride without overheating in the hot, summer sun. Look for breathable materials and dresses that won't chafe if you are sweating. You should look good for your wedding, but you should also be somewhat comfortable if you want to enjoy the day.

Some people skip white for beach wedding dresses, and that is fine as well. You can go with any beach theme that you want. You may find some people tell you what you have to wear, but in all reality it is your wedding. If you want to get married in your bikini with a great looking wrap for your wedding, that is what you should do. Those that love you and know you well will not be surprised if you make a personal choice that reflects who you are as a couple.

Just as important as what you look for in beach wedding dresses is what you look for in your wedding shoes. Go with what works on the beach of your choice. If you are going to be in the sand, a pair of high heels is not going to work, even if you think they look the best. You can go barefoot if you wish, just make sure the sand is racked and cleared so no one gets hurt. Flip flops are a more modern choice for some brides, and some go with satin slippers. Looking good is important, but the best shoes in the world won't matter if you cannot walk in the sand with them.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Is the Black Bridesmaid Dress the Best Choice you could Make?

If it were traditional for the bridesmaids at a wedding to wear elegant clothing that everyone could sigh in admiration at, then the movies and sitcoms would lose access to one of their best sources of comedy - the embarrassing bridesmaid dress.  Well, thankfully for Hollywood, the bridesmaid dress has often been the comic relief at a wedding - and a source of dread for the bridesmaids. But these days, brides-to-be are beginning to be sensitive about their choices - they want to pick something that their bridesmaids would be happy about. They want something their friends could add to their wardrobe after the wedding and find use for - at least fixes the bridesmaids have to pay for those dresses with her on money. And that's where the black bridesmaid dress comes in. Where does it say in the rules for example that the bridesmaid dress that you pick cannot be the "little black number" that everyone has a couple of examples of in their wardrobe for a special occasions and for special dates?

Just think about that - a beautiful cocktail party dress or a special date dress for your bridesmaids - that they could remember you by every time they needed to go out on a special date! There are a few other advantages to picking a standard design like that. To pick a black bridesmaid dress for your posse to wear, often, they may not even have to buy a dress. If you could be a little lax about having all the dresses completely match, they could just bring something out of their own wardrobes. You don't want to underestimate how at a time when everyone's trying to be careful with their money, it can be absolutely terrifying hearing that you are to be a bridesmaid. They will know how much they will have to spend. Do them a favor.

Not to mention, any bride who will have her bridesmaids dress in anything unflattering or irregular risks being called insecure behind her back. But money isn't the only reason why you would want to choose a black bridesmaid dress. For instance, did you notice that wedding photographers really favor taking dozens of black-and-white pictures to really express solemnity or to say something about the nobility of the circumstances? Black and white pictures have this quality - they take a wedding scene from a regular wedding and make it look like something you might have seen in a British royal wedding. They have that kind of effect. And what looks best in a black-and-white photograph - colors that are actually black-and-white, of course. The bride wears white, her bridesmaids wear black, and the photograph looks something truly sublime. You do have to think like a movie director or a cinematographer when you're planning a wedding for the best photographic effect.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Off Beat But Fun Bridal Wear

When you think of bridal wear, you think of gowns and bridesmaid dresses, and things like shoes and accessories. However, there are other fun items that you can get for your wedding celebration. You may not wear them while you are walking down the aisle, but you will find some time before and even on your wedding day to wear these fun items. If you are getting married, you may not think of these things, but if you know someone who is getting married, this is a great type of gift to get them that no one else may think of other than you.

One thing in bridal wear is the veil. This is not the veil that the bride wears as they are walking down the aisle. This is the veil that the bride will wear for all wedding special occasions. She may not want to wear it at her shower, but if she is going out with friends for any type of special celebration, she will be the center of attention and get all types of fun extras if she is wearing this type of bridal wear. This veil can clip on or be on a headband. There are plenty of fun options out there, so do a little web surfing to find the perfect one.

There are also t-shirts that say 'bride' and 'groom' on them. There are even some for other members of the wedding party. This type of bridal wear can be worn when the dress comes off and the couple is on their way to the airport for the honeymoon. They can be worn before the ceremony and at the rehearsal dinner if this dinner is not going to be too formal. These can also give someone a special experience because people love to give brides and grooms special treatment right before and right after the big day. You can also get hats and other things with the bride and groom label on them as well.

You may not think of men when you think of bridal wear, but there are some items for men that you can get for them as well. These are things like special socks and even boxer shorts that can be personalized with the name of the bride or perhaps with some fun saying that speaks to the personality of the groom or of the couple that is about to be married. Look for bridal wear for the groom online, which is where you are going to find the really fun items that you can not find anywhere else.

There is always, of course, the traditional bridal wear, but most people don't get this as a gift because they like to choose their own items for their wedding. However, you could find a rather unique garter that the bride can wear, or perhaps something special for the groom as well. Wedding as special and a great day to accumulate memories. Some of these fun bridal wear items are going to be saved for a long time to come because they will remind the couple of one of the most important days of their lives.